Learn Hardcore Japanese: watasi ha kyou syouhin wo hassousimasu.

When は is the topic particle, it’s pronounced “wa” (historical spelling). In words it’s “ha.” Similarly, the particle へ is pronounced “e,” and を is pronounced “o.”

Do I need に after 今日?

No. Relative-day words like 今日, 明日, 昨日 typically appear without に. You can topicalize with 今日は, and for “by today” use 今日中に (this does take に).

Can I omit 私?

Yes. Subjects are often dropped when obvious: 今日、商品を発送します。 In business, it’s common to avoid “I” and use no subject or a company term like 弊社/当店.

How flexible is the word order?

Everything before the verb is fairly flexible:

今日、商品を発送します。 (common: time early)
商品を今日発送します。
私は商品を今日発送します。 Keep the verb 発送します at the end.

What’s the difference between 私は and 私が here?

私は sets “me” as the topic (neutral).
私が focuses/contrasts the subject: “I (as opposed to someone else) will ship today.” Use が when emphasizing who does it.

What’s the nuance of 発送する versus other “send” verbs?

発送する: to ship/dispatch goods (seller → customer). Businesslike.
送る: to send (general, everyday).
郵送する: to mail (via postal service).
配送する: to deliver/distribute (logistics/delivery process).
出荷する: to ship out (from factory/warehouse).
送信する: to send electronically (emails/messages), not physical goods.

Is 発送 a verb? Why 発送します?

発送 is a noun (a “suru-noun”). Add する to make a verb: 発送する. Its polite form is 発送します.

Does 発送します mean present or future?

Japanese non-past covers both. With 今日, it’s understood as future in English (“will ship”). To stress intention/plan, you can say 発送する予定です or 発送いたします (polite).

Should I say 今日は商品を発送します instead? What changes?

今日、商品を発送します: simple time adverb “today.”
今日は商品を発送します: topic “as for today,” often contrasting with other days.
商品は今日発送します: topic “as for the product(s),” contrasting with other items/times.

Is 商品 singular or plural? Where is “the/a”?

Japanese nouns don’t mark number or articles. 商品 could be “product,” “a product,” or “products.” Context decides.

How do I pronounce it and what are the readings?

Readings: 私(わたし) は(wa) 今日(きょう) 商品(しょうひん) を(お) 発送(はっそう) します.
Romaji: watashi wa kyou shouhin o hassou shimasu. Note the small っ in はっそう (double s sound), and the particle は pronounced “wa.”

Why are there spaces between the words?

They’re for learners. Standard Japanese doesn’t use spaces: 私は今日商品を発送します。

How do I specify who or where I’m shipping to?

Use recipient/destination markers:

Person: 田中様に商品を発送します。
Place: 大阪へ発送します。
Addressed to: ご住所宛(あて)に発送します。

How do I say “by today/within today”?

Use 今日中に:

今日中に商品を発送します。 (We will ship by the end of today.)

What’s a more polite business version?

Before shipping (notice): 本日、商品を発送いたします。
After shipping (confirmation): 本日、商品を発送いたしました。 For customer orders: ご注文の商品を本日発送いたしました。

Is it okay to drop を or other particles?

In careful speech/writing, keep を. In casual speech or terse business notes you may see 商品発送します or 商品、発送します. It’s common in memos but less formal.

Any common mix-ups to avoid?

発送 (shipping goods) vs 発想 (an idea) – same pronunciation, different meaning.
Don’t use 送信 for packages; it’s for electronic messages.
Avoid 今日に for simple “today”; use 今日 or 今日中に.